Komatsu - city in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan

Komatsu () is a city in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. The construction equipment company of the same name was founded here and remains a major employer. Komatsu has developed into the second largest city of Ishikawa but at first glance has little to appeal to a casual tourist, unless you are a big fan of concrete. If you take the time to look deeper, however, you'll find that this little city has a lot to offer.

Get in

By plane

Komatsu Airport (小松空港, IATA: KMQ), 36.393889°, 136.4075°. The main airport for Ishikawa. There are international connections from Taipei daily and from Seoul and Shanghai 4 times a week, and domestic services from Tokyo, Sapporo, Sendai, Fukuoka and Naha (Okinawa).

Komatsu Bus (dead link: January 2023) services leave for JR Komatsu station every 20-30 minutes (12 min, ¥260). Hokutetsu also runs direct buses to Kanazawa (40-60 min, ¥1100), Fukui (1 hour) and Kaga (25 min, ¥500).

By train

Komatsu is on the busy JR Hokuriku Main Line from Osaka to Naoetsu via Fukui, Kanazawa and Toyama, with several normal and express trains every hour. Ordinary trains to Kanazawa take 32 minutes and cost ¥480. Express trains to or from Osaka cost ¥6,710 if you want a seat.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen, which is under construction, is scheduled to reach the city in 2024.

Get around

See

• Ishikawa Aviation Plaza (石川県立航空プラザ Ishikawa Kenritsu Kouku Puraza), 36.404371°, 136.410844°. If time permits, there is an interesting and free aircraft museum just opposite the airport, a short walk from the arrivals hall. It houses several exhibits on the history of Japanese aviation, and about a dozen actual (small) aircraft. The souvenir shop sells some unique souvenirs, largely based on the Sixth Air Group that occupies Komatsu Air Base (Komatsu Kichi), which shares the runway with the civilian airport.
• Nata-dera Temple (那谷寺). Mar-Nov daily 08:30-16:45, Dec-Feb daily 08:45-16:30. Popular on the Japanese tourist circuit, this temple is noted for its extensive grounds, beautiful garden and natural caves. One of best times to visit is in late autumn when the colorful red foliage is truly spectacular. Nata-dera's history can be traced back to 717 AD. Adults ¥500, children ¥300
• Motorcar Museum of Japan, +81 761 43-4343. Daily 09:00-17:00. This large red brick building has an area of and displays in the region of 500 vehicles all in working condition. Collected from both inside and outside of Japan including a Ford Model T. The museum has a restaurant, a shop and an amazing collection of toilets from all over the world that can be used if the need arises! Adults ¥1000, children ¥500
• Yunokuni no Mori (ゆのくにの森), +81 761 65-3456. Daily 08:30-17:00, winter daily 09:00-16:30. A resort in the Kaga onsen district which has a village of multiple buildings of traditional construction, each showcasing a particular handicraft of the Hokuriku area such as lacquer, gold leaf, fabric dying, paper making, pottery, wood carving, etc. Numerous activities exist for children to try their hands at making their own souvenir, as well as ample high-end products. Multiple restaurants and snack kiosks exist throughout. Adults ¥530, middle and high school students ¥420, children over 4 ¥320
• Komatsu no Mori (こまつの杜). Daily 09:00-17:00. Komatsu Ltd. created this park at the former Komatsu Plant site nearby JR Komatsu Station. The Waku-waku Komatsu Kan (Kids Pavilion), built to recreate the original head office of Komatsu Ltd., the Genki-Satoyama, a domestic woodland to recreate igneous environs of the local Kaga region, and an exhibition space for a 930E model of the world's largest class dump truck, which was actually used in a copper mine in Chile.

Do

• Rojou Koen (Rojo Park). Near city hall, this public park was once the grounds of a castle belonging to Maeda Toshitsune. Though the castle was torn down during the Meiji Era to make way for what is now Komatsu High School, the park remains. It is a very traditional Japanese garden with a tea house, waterfall, and series of ponds. While there are some nods to the design of Kenrokuen — the statue on the hill, the plum grove, a lantern over water — the garden is not as vast of stuffy as its northern counterpart. Expect to see families out for a stroll and more than a few stray cats. The park is a local favorite for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in the spring, as it has a large grove of cherry trees at its center. Free

Buy

Those looking for souvenirs might find a better selection in Kanazawa, especially in Kanazawa station or near Kenrokuen. The Komatsu Urara Concert Hall (near the station) offers some souvenirs in its gift shop, including items bearing Kabuki, the Komatsu mascot.

Komatsu city houses several kutani-yaki studios, including the workshop of one Living National Treasure. You can buy some kutani-yaki pottery in the station and at the Urara, or you can visit some of the art dealerships scattered throughout the city.

Eat

• Steak Ogawa, 2-111 Fukunomiya-Machi, +81 761-21-1829. Lunch starts at 11:30. A great place to eat a steak lunch or dinner. They cook the steak in front of your eyes and serve many delicious side items with the steak. Side items include vegetables, salad, rice, and miso soup. You'll also get ice cream for desert with your choice of tea or coffee. 100g steak with sides ¥1800
• Yaemon, Doihara-machi 516 (south of Komatsu Station, across from the Hokuriku Bank), +81 761-21-8850. This izakaya (Japanese style pub) has relatively inexpensive beer and focuses entirely on local, seasonal cuisine. The atmosphere is quirky and boisterous — expect seasonal decorations that verge on tacky, loud groups, and some cigarette smoke. While not a refined atmosphere, the food is meticulously prepared and always delicious. This is a great place to try Ishikawa's famous seafood, both in sashimi and broiled form. Yaemon also has the best vegetarian selection of Komatsu's izakayas. English menus are available. Small plates ¥400-800

Drink

• Aperetif Wine Bar. This cozy wine bar offers one the best happy hours in Ishikawa — half off any drink between 18:00 and 20:00. The bar master is friendly and enjoys practicing his English with customers. Wine selections come from Chile, Spain, France, and California, and are all solid. You can also custom-order cocktails and try umeshuu (plum liquor) or Nihon-shuu (Japanese liquor made from wheat, sweet potatoes, or whatever else ferments). Drinks ¥500-600

Sleep

• Hoshi Ryokan (法師). Not only the world's oldest hotel, but also the oldest still operating company. It was founded in 718 and has been managed by the same family for 46 generations.
• Hyper-Hotel, +81-761-23-3000. Check-in: 15:00-23:00, check-out: 10:00. This hotel is across from Komatsu Station. Single, double, triple occupancy rooms available, free continental breakfast for all guests between 7:00-8:30. Reservations can be made on the website up to 3 months out. ¥5230-7980 depending on occupancy

Go next

• Kaga
• Hakusan
• Nomi
• Kawakita
• Nonoichi
• Kanazawa
• Awara
• Sakai
• Fukui